Application of comestics

ABSTRACT

A cosmetics applicator includes a material surface ( 210 ) and a cosmetic preparation ( 220 ) provided on the surface. In one aspect, the cosmetics preparation is retained on the surface at least in part with the assistance of electrostatic attraction between the surface and the cosmetics preparation. In another aspect, a waxy or oily underlay is provided between the surface and the cosmetics preparation, and the material of the surface is selected to facilitate retention of the cosmetics preparation and the underlay while allowing a major proportion of the cosmetics preparation retained thereon to be transferred to a human skin surface in a single wiping pass of the cosmetics preparation across the skin surface.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to cosmetics, and relates particularly, but notexclusively, to improvements in the application of cosmetics.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Cosmetics preparations of various types have been in use for many, manyyears. Accordingly, a wide range of application methods have beentrialed, though primarily facial cosmetics are applied using a pencil,brush or stick, or other similar means.

This approach has been generally satisfactory. However, there are anumber of problems associated with existing techniques of packaging andapplying facial cosmetics. Among these problems is the difficulty somehave in effectively applying cosmetics using conventional techniques.Also, some experience considerable difficulty in mastering thetechniques required to successfully apply cosmetics preparations withsufficient competence to achieve the required effect.

Many individuals have particular difficulty with self application ofeye-shadow. This is typically applied with mixing brushes and thechallenge is to achieve even shading or colouring of each eye withoutsmudging and to make up both eyes without noticeable differences. Thisaspect of distinct separated zones that need to be matched does notarise with most other areas of cosmetics application. Current methods ofapplying eye shadow can take up to 10 to 15 minutes forself-application, and even then, for the reasons just mentioned, theresult may be less than perfect, leaving the user doubtful about feelingconfident about her eye make-up through the day. This combination of thetime required, the difficulty involved, and uncertain results, includingworrying about smudging, colour outcome, messiness and an amateurishappearance, has led many women to avoid using eye make-up altogether.

The present applicant believes that these issues with eye cosmetics alsoarise, though usually to a lesser degree, with other aspects ofcosmetics self-application, most notably lipstick.

Further, existing methods of packaging cosmetics can cause, in somecases, considerable inefficient wastage of the actual cosmeticspreparation. As preparations are often relatively expensive to produce,this inherent wastage necessarily increases the price of the packagedforms of the cosmetics.

U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,925,667 and 4,752,496 disclose cosmetic samplers inwhich sample volumes are retained on a substrate, covered and accessedby removal of a tear strip. U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,690,130 and 119,704describe cosmetic samplers in which fabric fibres or non woven materialmay be applied to cover an entire surface of a substrate to form anapplicator surface, and in which the fibres are initially applied “byelectrostatic assist”. The cosmetic is retained on this substrate by anoverlaid thermoplastics film.

It is, accordingly, an object of the present invention to attempt toaddress the aforementioned difficulties relating to cosmeticsapplication.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The inventive concept resides in a recognition that cosmeticspreparations are advantageously provided by retaining a suitable amountof a cosmetics preparation on a suitable surface, so that the surfacecan be used to conveniently apply the cosmetics preparation to anappropriate part of the face.

In a first aspect, the invention provides a cosmetics applicatorincluding a material surface and a cosmetics preparation provided on thesurface. The cosmetics preparation is retained on, and may be initiallyattracted to, the surface at least in part with the assistance ofelectrostatic attraction between the surface and the cosmeticspreparation. The material of the surface is preferably selected tofacilitate retention of the cosmetics preparation thereon by saidelectrostatic attraction while allowing a major proportion of thecosmetics preparation retained thereon to be transferred to a human skinsurface in a single wiping pass of the cosmetics preparation across theskin surface.

In a second aspect, the invention provides a cosmetics applicatorincluding: a material surface, a cosmetics preparation provided on saidsurface, and a waxy or oily underlay between said surface and saidcosmetics preparation, wherein the material of said surface is selectedto facilitate retention of said cosmetics preparation and said underlaywhile allowing a major proportion of the cosmetics preparation retainedthereon to be transferred to a human skin surface in a single wipingpass of the cosmetics preparation across the skin surface.

Advantageously, said waxy or oily underlay is cosmetic foundation.Preferably, the underlay transfers with said cosmetics preparationduring said wiping pass to provide an outer protective coating therefor.

Advantageously, said material surface is provided on a planar sheetshaped to provide a first portion defining said surface and a secondportion to be gripped between fingers or thumb and a finger, forexecuting said single wiping pass. The first portion may typically belarger than the second portion.

Preferably, said material is provided as a planar sheet. Preferably, theplanar sheet of material is cut to an appropriate shape and size toallow said cosmetics applicator to be conveniently used as required.

The surface preferably has a relatively low coefficient of friction. Forthis purpose, the surface may be substantially formed of PTFE(poly-tetrafluoroethylene), otherwise known as Teflon®, or of aPTFE-containing composite.

Preferably, the aforesaid electrostatic attraction is achieved by thesurface of the material being electrostatically charged.

The cosmetics preparation may be, eg, a granular, dust-like orpowder-based substance such as, for example, as eyeshadow; or a creme,wax or other liquid-based preparation such as, for example, lipstick, orfoundation.

When the cosmetics preparation is a powder, it may be applied to thesurface of the material using a spray directed towards the surface,Preferably, the spray of the cosmetics preparation is efficientlydirected to the material by virtue of the electrostatic attractionbetween the surface and the cosmetics preparation.

Preferably, the surface is shaped and sized to allow convenient use ofthe cosmetics preparation. Preferably, the surface includes a coveredregion to which the cosmetics preparation is applied, and a clear regionto which the cosmetics preparation is not applied. Advantageously, thecosmetics preparation includes different colours of the preparation indistinct areas of the surface to facilitate different colour effectswhen the cosmetics applicator is used.

The invention further provides a method of providing a cosmeticsapplicator, the method including: providing a material having a surface;and applying a cosmetics preparation to at least part of the surface;wherein the cosmetics preparation is attracted to and/or retained on thesurface at least in part with the assistance of electrostatic attractionbetween the surface and the cosmetics preparation.

The cosmetics preparation may be applied to the surface by spraying.

Preferably, the method further includes applying on said surface, astencil to confine the cosmetics preparation to one or morepredetermined areas of the surface.

The invention still further provides a method of applying a cosmeticspreparation to a skin surface from a cosmetics applicator asaforedescribed, comprising transferring said cosmetics preparation fromthe applicator surface to the skin surface in a single wiping pass ofthe cosmetics preparation across the skin surface.

DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an enlarged representation of a cosmetics applicator accordingto an embodiment of the invention, especially suitable for retaining andapplying eyeshadow;

FIG. 2 is a schematic representation of a facility used to manufacturecosmetic applicators of the kind depicted in FIG. 1; and

FIG. 3 is a representation of a set of cosmetic applicators of a shape alittle different from those depicted in FIG. 1, and produced by thefacility depicted in FIG. 2.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

A cosmetics applicator 200 constructed in accordance with an embodimentof the invention will now be described with reference to theaccompanying drawings. Manufacture of the cosmetics applicators isachieved using a production facility 10 as schematically represented inFIG. 2. A sheet of cosmetics applicators 200 that are produced usingthis facility 10 are represented in FIG. 3. An enlarged presentation ofa cosmetic applicator is provided by FIG. 1.

The cosmetics applicator 200, illustrated on an enlarged scale with amagnification a little greater than 2, is represented in FIG. 1, andincludes a surface 210 of a selected highly flexible PTFE containingmaterial. The surface 210 can be considered as being divided into arelatively larger first portion 220 and a relatively smaller secondportion 250. Larger portion 220 is covered with an underlay of a waxy oroily substance such as cosmetic foundation, overlaid with an outer layerof cosmetics preparation such as, for example, coloured make-up powder.Relatively smaller second portion 250 is clear and uncovered. Portions220, 250 meet at a boundary 225 marked by an edge of the powder layerand are defined at least in part by generally curved edges 221, 251 ofsheet 200.

The portion 220 may be divided at a boundary 222 into a first region 230and a second region 240, which are respectively overlaid with differentcolours and/or types of cosmetics preparation. The first and secondregions 230, 240 of the portion 220 are positioned so that the tworespective colours of these regions 230, 240 are similarly representedon the skin of the eyelid. While a simple arrangement of only tworegions 230, 240 is depicted in FIG. 1, intended to apply differentcolours respectively to the upper and lower portions of the eyelid, awide variety of different colours, or of graded colour tones, ofcosmetics preparation can be applied to the surface 210 of theapplicator 200.

The “teardrop” shape of the surface 210 shown in FIG. 3 is particularlysuited for use of the cosmetics applicator 200 for applying cosmeticcolouring, eg. eyeshadow, to the eyelids. As the clear portion 250 ofthe surface 210 is not covered with cosmetics preparation, it can begripped between the thumb and forefinger. With the applicator 200 beingheld in this way, the index finger can be used to apply pressure to theback of the applicator 200 (which is, of course, disposed opposite thesurface 210 and not covered with cosmetics preparation) so that most ofthe cosmetics preparation, together with the underlay, on the coveredportion 220 of the applicator 200 rubs off onto, ie. is transferred to,the skin of the eyelid in a single wiping pass or swipe of the cosmeticspreparation across the skin surface. The actual proportion of eyeshadowtransferred will typically depend on the actual finger pressure appliedto the applicator as it is wiped across the eyelid. The originalunderlay forms an outer protective and/or seal coating that assists instabilising and maintaining the eyeshadow over subsequent hours.

The transfer efficiency of this wiping action is facilitated by thegenerally curved edges of applicator 200, by the elongated shape of theapplicator, and by portion 220 being of a length and width to generallymatch an eyelid.

The surface 210 is of a PTFE-containing material having a lowcoefficient of friction, selected to facilitate retention of thecosmetics preparation and underlay thereon, preferably at least in partby electrostatic attraction, while allowing the major proportion of thecosmetics preparation retained thereon to be transferred to a human skinsurface in a single wiping pass or swipe of the cosmetics preparationacross the skin surface. The cosmetics preparation thus readily wipesoff the surface 210 and onto the skin. The material should thuspreferably be suitable both for being electrostatically charged at itssurface and for having friction properties such that the cosmeticspreparation, and preferably also the underlay, easily transfer by wipingaction to the skin.

A suitable PTFE-containing material for applicators 200 is FL100 VirginPTFE supplied by Dotmar EPP, preferably of thickness 4 to 5 thousandthsof an inch (about 0.100 to 0.125 mm), having a static co-efficient offriction at 0.23 MPa of 0.04 and a dynamic co-efficient of friction at0.23 MPa, 0.75 m/sec of 0.05. The specific gravity is 2.16, tensilestrength 30.0 MPa, flexural modulus 690 MPa, and compressive strengthunder 5% strain 12.1. Shore D Hardness is in the range 50-65.

Other PTFE-containing materials that may be suitable includePTFE-impregnated or coated paper or fibre, eg. glass fibre, mesh, orPTFE-coated plastics substrates.

Electrostatic attraction between the cosmetics preparation and thesurface 210, at least partly assists in retaining the cosmeticspreparation to the surface 210 prior to it being wiped off. The waxy oroily underlay further assists in this retention. There is typically noouter protection film but such may be included if necessary foradditional protection of the cosmetic.

The principal dimensions of applicator 200 are, with reference to FIG.1, about 60 to 75 mm for x and about 15 to 25 mm for y. Thus, theapplicator is elongate with a length to width ratio in the region of 3to 4.

The surface 210 is cut from a sheet of the PTFE-containing material, andelectrostatic attraction between the surface 210 and the cosmeticspreparation assists in attracting the preparation to, and retaining iton, the portion 220 of the surface 210.

The cosmetics applicator 200 can be manufactured by means of theproduction facility illustrated schematically in FIG. 2. A roll of sheetcomprising the selected PTFE—containing material is spooled, using rolls30, between opposed friction plates 40 that develop an electrostaticcharge on the material 20 as the material 20 runs between the plates 40.The sheet 20 is cut into individual rectangular sheets 50, which are fedalong a conveyor line towards a robotic applicator 60. A stencil, whichhas holes for the covered portions 220 of each of the applicators 200placed on a given sheet 50, is placed over each sheet.

The robotic applicator 60 is used to apply the waxy or oily underlay andthen the cosmetics preparation onto each sheet 50. The cosmeticspreparation, a coloured powder material, is supplied to a mixing vat 70for colour tanks 75, and mixed with air from an air tank 80. Variouscolours of aerated powder of the cosmetics preparation are supplied tothe robotic applicator 60 though powder lines 100. The air nozzles 110deliver the actual aerated power to the stencil covered sheets 50 afterapplication of the waxy or oily underlay. A computer control programmein controller 55 is used to control the actions of the roboticapplicator 60 to ensure appropriate delivery of the aerated powder tothe sheets 50.

After the cosmetics preparation has been applied to the stencil-coveredsheets 50, the stencil can be removed, and a guillotine press used tostamp out individual applicators 200 according to the pattern shown inFIG. 3. Each block 205 of applicators 200 depicted in FIG. 3 can besupplied in a convenient package as required, for example laid out in amoulded tray 310 for easy grasping and use. The package thus forms acosmetics application kit comprising an array of applicators 200 in amanually accessible receptacle. It will be seen that the applicators arestamped out in complementary pairs 207 of “left” and “right” applicators208, 209, ie. the applicators are handed to facilitate application ofthe preparation to the left or right eye respectively.

In an alternative approach, instead of or in addition to application ofthe waxy or oily underlay, the surface of sheet 20 is prepared by beingwiped with a suitable alcohol.

It is found that the use of a pair of applicators 200 to apply eyeshadowachieves very good balance between the two sides of the face and eyes,giving the user a high level of confidence in her appearance. Thephysical size of the required package for a set of the applicators isrelatively compact and convenient. The applicators facilitateself-applications of eye makeup within seconds rather than the 10 or 15minutes presently required.

1. A cosmetics applicator including: a) an applicator body having afront thin flexible non-permeable smooth planar material surface and arear flexible surface that resiliently retains the front surface in theplanar arrangement; b) the front planar material surface having a firstportion for holding between the fingers and a second teardrop portionshaped like an eyelid and deformable to fit over an eyelid, the secondteardrop portion including poly-tetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) and having arelatively low coefficient of friction; c) a coating of a waxy or oilylayer on at least the second teardrop portion of the front surface as anunderlay; and d) a coating of a powder-based cosmetics preparation in afirst pattern on the coating of a waxy or oily layer; the material ofsaid front planar material surface being selected to facilitateretention of said cosmetics preparation thereon at least in part byelectrostatic attraction; the low coefficient of friction of the frontplanar material surface and said underlay allowing a major proportion ofthe cosmetic preparation to be transferred in a sliding manner to ahuman skin surface in substantially a single wiping pass of thecosmetics preparation in a second pattern on the skin surfacesubstantially corresponding to the first pattern.
 2. A cosmeticsapplicator according to claim 1, wherein said underlay is a cosmeticfoundation.
 3. A cosmetics applicator according to claim 2, wherein saidunderlay is configured to be transferred with said cosmetics preparationduring said wiping pass to provide an outer protective coating.
 4. Acosmetics applicator according to claim 1, wherein the material of saidfront planar material surface being selected to facilitate retention ofsaid cosmetics preparation thereon at least in part by saidelectrostatic attraction.
 5. A cosmetics applicator according to claim4, wherein said first portion is relatively larger than said secondteardrop portion.
 6. A cosmetics applicator according to claim 5,wherein said first portion and said second portion are defined at leastin part by generally curved edges of said body.
 7. A cosmeticsapplicator according to claim 1 wherein PTFE of the second teardropportion is in the form of a PTFE layer or a PTFE-containing composite,the PTFE layer or PTFE-containing composition having a thickness ofabout 4 to 5 thousandths of an inch (about 0.100 to 0.125 mm) and havinga low surface co-efficient of friction.
 8. A cosmetics applicatoraccording to claim 1, wherein said electrostatic attraction is achievedby said surface of said material being electrostatically charged.
 9. Acosmetics applicator according to claim 1, wherein said cosmeticspreparation is an eye shadow.
 10. A cosmetics applicator according toclaim 9, wherein said cosmetics preparation has different colours indistinct areas of said front planar material surface, wherein thedifferent colours form the first pattern on the applicator.
 11. Thecosmetics applicator of claim 1, wherein the underlay is cosmeticfoundation, the material of said front planar material surface retainssaid cosmetics preparation through electrostatic attraction and retainssaid underlay.
 12. A cosmetics applicator according to claim 11, whereinsaid underlay is configured to be transferred with said cosmeticspreparation during said wiping pass to provide an outer protectivecoating therefor.
 13. A cosmetics applicator according to claim 11,wherein said first portion is relatively larger than said secondteardrop portion.
 14. A cosmetics applicator according to claim 13,wherein said first portion and said second portion are defined at leastin part by generally curved edges of said body.
 15. A cosmeticsapplicator according to claim 11, wherein the second teardrop portion issubstantially formed of PTFE (poly-tetrafluoroethylene) or of aPTFE-containing composite.
 16. A cosmetics applicator according to claim11, wherein said cosmetics preparation is an eye shadow.
 17. A cosmeticsapplicator according to claim 16, wherein said cosmetics preparation hasdifferent colours in distinct areas of said front planar materialsurface, wherein the different colours form the first pattern on theapplicator and are transferred to the human skin surface in the firstpattern.
 18. The cosmetics applicator of claim 1 wherein the underlay isbetween said front planar material surface and said cosmeticspreparation, and the underlay provides an outer protective coatingtherefor.
 19. A cosmetics applicator according to claim 18, wherein saidfront planar material surface is a surface of a planar sheet.
 20. Acosmetics applicator according to claim 19, wherein said planar sheet isa flexible sheet.
 21. A cosmetics applicator according to claim 20,wherein said planar sheet is shaped to provide a first portion definingsaid front planar material surface and a second portion to be grippedbetween fingers or between thumb and a finger for executing said singlewiping pass.
 22. A cosmetics applicator according to claim 21, whereinsaid first portion is relatively larger than said second portion.
 23. Acosmetics applicator according to claim 22, wherein said first portionand said second portion are defined at least in part by generally curvededges of said planar sheet.
 24. A cosmetics applicator according toclaim 23, wherein said planar sheet is elongated and said first portionis of a length and width to generally match an eyelid.
 25. A cosmeticsapplicator according to claim 8, wherein said front planar materialsurface has a relatively low coefficient of friction like PTFE(poly-tetrafluoroethylene).
 26. A cosmetics applicator according toclaim 25, wherein said front planar material surface is substantiallyformed of PTFE (poly-tetrafluoroethylene) or of a PTFE-containingcomposite.
 27. A cosmetics applicator according to claim 18, whereinsaid cosmetics preparation is a granular, dust-like or powder-basedsubstance.
 28. A cosmetics applicator according to claim 18, whereinsaid cosmetics preparation is an eye shadow.
 29. A cosmetics applicatoraccording to claim 18, wherein said cosmetics preparation has differentcolours in distinct areas of said front planar material surface tofacilitate different colour effects when the cosmetics applicator isused.
 30. A cosmetics applicator according to claim 1 with said frontplanar material surface being substantially formed of PTFE or of aPTFE-containing composite.
 31. The cosmetics applicator of claim 1wherein the planar material surface comprises a flexible sheet, theunderlay is a cosmetic foundation and is located between said surfaceand said cosmetics preparation; and the front planar material surfacebeing substantially formed of PTFE or of a PTFE-containing compositefacilitating retention of said cosmetics preparation thereon andfacilitating the transfer in a sliding manner to a human skin surface.32. The cosmetics applicator of claim 1, wherein the front planarmaterial surface has two regions that retain the cosmetics preparation,each region comprising different cosmetics preparations.
 33. Thecosmetics applicator of claim 32, wherein the different cosmeticspreparations have different colors.
 34. The cosmetics applicator ofclaim 1, further comprising at least two cosmetic zones defined on thefront surface; wherein the PTFE is provided in the front surface in theform of at least one of the group consisting of a PTFE layer,PTFE-impregnated paper, PTFE-coated paper, PTFE fiber, and PTFE-coatedplastic substrates, the surface having a static co-efficient of frictionof 0.04 and a dynamic co-efficient of friction of 0.05; and the coatingof the powder-based cosmetics preparation includes at least twodifferent colors of cosmetic, each different color of cosmetic in adifferent one of the at least two cosmetic zones.
 35. The cosmeticsapplicator of claim 34, wherein the at least two cosmetic zones includeat least four cosmetic zones and the at least two different cosmeticcolors include at least four cosmetic colors.
 36. The cosmeticsapplicator of claim 34, wherein the surface including PTFE is in theform of a PTFE-coated plastic substrate.
 37. The cosmetics applicator ofclaim 34, wherein the surface including PTFE is in the form of a layerof PTFE.
 38. The cosmetics applicator of claim 34, further comprising anelectrostatic force between the cosmetics preparation and the surface,the electrostatic force assisting in retaining the cosmetics preparationto the surface prior the cosmetics preparation being transferred in thesliding manner to the human eyelid surface.
 39. The cosmetics applicatorof claim 34, having an X-direction corresponding to the width of aneyelid and a Y-direction corresponding to the height of an eyelid, theX-direction having a length between 60-75 mm, and the Y-direction havinga width between 15-25 mm.
 40. The cosmetics applicator of claim 1,wherein the front surface comprises at least two cosmetic zones; theeyelid-shaped portion is formed of a material containing the PTFE, thefront surface having a static co-efficient of friction of 0.04 and adynamic co-efficient of friction of 0.05; the coating of powder-basedcosmetics preparation includes at least two different colors ofcosmetic, each different color of cosmetic in a different one of the atleast two cosmetic zones and forming a pattern on the applicator; andthe corresponding pattern on the skin surface comprises the at least twodifferent colors of cosmetic.
 41. A kit comprising a package comprising:a left applicator according to the cosmetic applicator of claim 1comprising a flat left eyelid-shaped surface, the coating of apowder-based cosmetics preparation including a left powder-basedcosmetics preparation resting on the left surface, and a rightapplicator according to the cosmetic applicator of claim 1 comprising aflat right eyelid-shaped surface, the coating of a powder-basedcosmetics preparation including a right powder-based cosmeticspreparation resting on the right surface, the kit including instructionsto apply the cosmetics preparation on a left eyelid with the leftapplicator by applying the eyelid shaped surface to the left eyelid andwiping the surface across the left eyelid once ill a leftward slidingdirection to transfer the left powder-based cosmetic to the left eyelid;the kit including instructions to apply the cosmetics preparation on aright eyelid with the right applicator by applying the eyelid shapedsurface to the right eyelid and wiping the surface across the righteyelid once in a rightward sliding direction to transfer the rightpowder-based cosmetic to the right eyelid.
 42. The kit of claim 41wherein the left powder-based cosmetics preparation includes at leasttwo left colors of cosmetic and each of the at least two left colors ofcosmetic are separated in a left pattern; the right powder-basedcosmetics preparation includes at least two right colors of cosmetic andeach of the at least two right colors of cosmetic are separated in aright pattern.
 43. The kit of claim 42, wherein the left colors aredifferent than the right colors.
 44. The kit of claim 42, wherein theleft pattern is different than the right pattern.
 45. The kit of claim42, wherein the at least one of the left colors is the same as at leastone of the right colors and wherein the left pattern is different thanthe right pattern by the order of the colors from the top to bottom ofthe respective eyelids.